Inaccuracies in Children's Testimony

Inaccuracies in Children's Testimony PDF Author: Letitia C Pallone
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136375155
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description
Inaccuracies in Children’s Testimony combines the literature on obedience to authority with that on suggestibility to create a third literature. This book examines children’s testimony from several perspectives and gives you insightful suggestions for increasing children’s abilities to testify accurately about traumatic things that have happened to them. In doing so, you’ll learn how to ensure that those who abuse or sexually exploit children are brought to justice while those falsely accused are adequately protected. How children are questioned to learn what they have witnessed is crucial due to the effects the questioning sessions may have on their testimonies--improper questioning may lead to inaccurate answers. This is just one of the many areas of children’s testimony covered in Inaccuracies in Children’s Testimony. In each of the chapters you’ll discover new ways for increasing the accuracy and dependability of children’s testimony as you read about: factors that affect children’s testimonies suggestibility--definition and research, including sources of suggestibility how obedience to authority can explain children’s behavior as witnesses children’s memory in the courtroom and what they are able to remember how children’s involvement in the courts can be problematic free versus prompted recall--which is more accurate and why the “worst” method is often used with children Milgram’s theory of obedience to authority tied to children as witnesses review of the literature on the effects of stress, prompting, and imagination on children’s recall ideas for future research Experts in the field of legal testimony, legal personnel, child counselors, psychologists, social workers, and faculty and students of related courses will find Inaccuracies in Children’s Testimony an essential resource for understanding the importance of making the child victim/witness more believable and reliable.

Inaccuracies in Children's Testimony

Inaccuracies in Children's Testimony PDF Author: Letitia C Pallone
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136375155
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 178

Get Book Here

Book Description
Inaccuracies in Children’s Testimony combines the literature on obedience to authority with that on suggestibility to create a third literature. This book examines children’s testimony from several perspectives and gives you insightful suggestions for increasing children’s abilities to testify accurately about traumatic things that have happened to them. In doing so, you’ll learn how to ensure that those who abuse or sexually exploit children are brought to justice while those falsely accused are adequately protected. How children are questioned to learn what they have witnessed is crucial due to the effects the questioning sessions may have on their testimonies--improper questioning may lead to inaccurate answers. This is just one of the many areas of children’s testimony covered in Inaccuracies in Children’s Testimony. In each of the chapters you’ll discover new ways for increasing the accuracy and dependability of children’s testimony as you read about: factors that affect children’s testimonies suggestibility--definition and research, including sources of suggestibility how obedience to authority can explain children’s behavior as witnesses children’s memory in the courtroom and what they are able to remember how children’s involvement in the courts can be problematic free versus prompted recall--which is more accurate and why the “worst” method is often used with children Milgram’s theory of obedience to authority tied to children as witnesses review of the literature on the effects of stress, prompting, and imagination on children’s recall ideas for future research Experts in the field of legal testimony, legal personnel, child counselors, psychologists, social workers, and faculty and students of related courses will find Inaccuracies in Children’s Testimony an essential resource for understanding the importance of making the child victim/witness more believable and reliable.

Children and Cross-Examination

Children and Cross-Examination PDF Author: J R Spencer
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1847319564
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 245

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Book Description
In 2009, Stephen Barker was convicted of rape on the evidence of a little girl who was four-and-a-half years old at the trial, and about three-and-a-half when first interviewed by the police. The high point of the proceedings was the child's appearance as a live witness in order for Barker's counsel to attempt a cross-examination. This case focused attention on the need, imposed by current English law, for even tiny children to come to court for a live cross-examination. In 1989, the Pigot Committee proposed a scheme under which the whole of a young child's evidence, including cross-examination, would be obtained out of court and in advance of trial. In 1999 a provision designed to give effect to this was included in the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act, but it has not yet been brought into force. The full Pigot proposal was implemented, however, in Western Australia, and similar schemes operate in a number of European jurisdictions. This book of essays examines a number of these schemes, and argues the case for further reforms in the UK.

The Witch-Hunt Narrative

The Witch-Hunt Narrative PDF Author: Ross E. Cheit
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190226331
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 531

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Book Description
In the 1980s, a series of child sex abuse cases rocked the United States. The most famous case was the 1984 McMartin preschool case, but there were a number of others as well. By the latter part of the decade, the assumption was widespread that child sex abuse had become a serious problem in America. Yet within a few years, the concern about it died down considerably. The failure to convict anyone in the McMartin case and a widely publicized appellate decision in New Jersey that freed an accused molester had turned the dominant narrative on its head. In the early 1990s, a new narrative with remarkable staying power emerged: the child sex abuse cases were symptomatic of a 'moral panic' that had produced a witch hunt. A central claim in this new witch hunt narrative was that the children who testified were not reliable and easily swayed by prosecutorial suggestion. In time, the notion that child sex abuse was a product of sensationalized over-reporting and far less endemic than originally thought became the new common sense. But did the new witch hunt narrative accurately represent reality? As Ross Cheit demonstrates in his exhaustive account of child sex abuse cases in the past two and a half decades, purveyors of the witch hunt narrative never did the hard work of examining court records in the many cases that reached the courts throughout the nation. Instead, they treated a couple of cases as representative and concluded that the issue was blown far out of proportion. Drawing on years of research into cases in a number of states, Cheit shows that the issue had not been blown out of proportion at all. In fact, child sex abuse convictions were regular occurrences, and the crime occurred far more frequently than conventional wisdom would have us believe. Cheit's aim is not to simply prove the narrative wrong, however. He also shows how a narrative based on empirically thin evidence became a theory with real social force, and how that theory stood at odds with a far more grim reality. The belief that the charge of child sex abuse was typically a hoax also left us unprepared to deal with the far greater scandal of child sex abuse in the Catholic Church, which, incidentally, has served to substantiate Cheit's thesis about the pervasiveness of the problem. In sum, The Witch-Hunt Narrative is a magisterial and empirically powerful account of the social dynamics that led to the denial of widespread human tragedy.

The Wiley Handbook of Memory, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the Law

The Wiley Handbook of Memory, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the Law PDF Author: Jonni L. Johnson
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119158370
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 542

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Book Description
An Important Contribution to Understanding Autobiographical and Eyewitness Memory in Those with ASD and the Unique Legal Challenges They Present This book offers an in-depth discussion of how autobiographical and eyewitness memory operate in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and provides unique insights into current challenges faced by legal professionals, forensic psychologists, clinicians, and others who extend services to those with ASD. Throughout the book, authors demonstrate why a nuanced understanding of autobiographical and eyewitness memory is required when assessing individuals with ASD, given the developmental, social, and cognitive deficits at play. Authors review current legal services and structures, and explore ideas on whether and how modifications can be made to meet the needs of all individuals who seek and deserve justice, including individuals with ASD. The Wiley Handbook of Memory, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the Law is sure to spark debate within the mental health and legal communities, while advancing knowledge on the role of key clinical features of ASD in autobiographical and eyewitness memory. The book is distinct in its exploration of ways in which the legal system, with its formal yet inherently social infrastructure and regulated due process demands, should offer services to those with ASD. Of note, authors question if current policies and practices, such as reliance on interviewing protocols standardized for typically developing individuals, are adequate. The book is divided into three sections with the first providing a discussion of theoretical viewpoints on how memory functions in those with and without ASD, and providing a specialized consideration of developmental issues. A second section reviews empirical evidence, followed by a third and final section addressing legal and clinical considerations, including techniques for interviewing individuals with ASD. The first book offering an expert, science-based review of autobiographical and eyewitness memory research on those with ASD and the associated legal challenges Provides thought-provoking, informative, often debated observations on memory in ASD from an international team of experts Offers summaries of what is known about memory abilities in those with ASD as well as what is left unknown that future researchers will need to address and that legal professionals should consider. A book that does much to advance the research frontier in the study of memory in ASD and application to the legal system, The Wiley Handbook of Memory, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the Law is important reading for academic researchers, clinicians, judges, jurors, law enforcement officials, and public policy makers alike.

Children's Testimony

Children's Testimony PDF Author: Helen L. Westcott
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470851392
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 429

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Book Description
Children's Testimony offers a comprehensive and up-to-dateassessment of issues relating to children's evidence. Starting withpsychological underpinnings and child protection considerations,the reader is taken through a clearly structured and timelycollection of chapters from internationally renownedcontributors. Pointers for practitioners are clearly highlighted throughout and aunique, jargon-free glossary of psychological terms encountered inchild witness research is included making this a highly practicaltext. * An accessible review of existing knowledge and preview of new andrecent developments in psychological research and forensicpractice * An outstanding group of international contributors * Offers a broad scope that considers all the key areas of researchand practice

The Psychology and Sociology of Wrongful Convictions

The Psychology and Sociology of Wrongful Convictions PDF Author: Wendy J Koen
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128027029
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Book Description
Wrongful convictions are the result of faulty or false scientific evidence in 50% of the cases. Defense counsel is often at a great disadvantage in defending against evidence based on science. Illusory Evidence: The Psychology and Sociology of Wrongful Convictions is written for the non-scientist, to make complicated scientific information clear and concise enough for attorneys and judges to master. This is obtained by providing case studies to simplify issues in forensic psychology for the legal professional. - Increases the courts' knowledge about areas of psychology that have been debunked, have advanced, or have been refined by the scientific community - Covers issues in psychological forensics, namely: Profiling, Psychological Defenses, Mitigation, Eyewitness Testimony/Identification, Child Testimony, Repressed Memories, False Confessions and Moral Panic - Trains prosecuting attorneys about the present state of the forensic psychology, to avoid relying only on legal precedent and will not present flawed science to the court - Provides defense attorneys the knowledge necessary to competently defend where forensic psychology plays a part in a prosecution - Arms innocence projects and appellate attorneys with the latest information to challenge convictions - Uses case studies to simplify issues in forensic psychology for the legal professional

Tall Tales about the Mind and Brain

Tall Tales about the Mind and Brain PDF Author: Sergio Della Sala
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0198568762
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 550

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Book Description
Does listening to Mozart make us more intelligent? Does the size of the brain matter? Can we communicate with the dead? This book presents a survey of common myths about the mind & brain. It exposes the truth behind these beliefs, how they are perpetuated, why people believe them, & why they might even exist in the first place.

Detecting Malingering and Deception

Detecting Malingering and Deception PDF Author: Harold V. Hall
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0429750773
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 538

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Book Description
Detecting Malingering and Deception: Forensic Distortion Analysis (FDA-5), Third Edition maintains the tradition of the prior two editions, following the Forensic Distortion Analysis (FDA) model. Fully updated since the last edition nearly 20 years ago, the book continues to serve as a comprehensive volume on deception and distortion in forensic, clinical and several specialized contexts. As with the previous editions, the book presents a model of deception intended to be utilized and applied by the qualified evaluator. The proposed model covers targets of the faker, response styles shown, and methods to detect the deception. The goal is to summarize the historical and latest information on distortion detection, to present guidelines for detecting deception that include variable accuracy rates based on different detection techniques, and to stimulate further research of effective methods of deception detection. Recommendations and guidelines for the practicing clinician are offered throughout the book, including real-world cases to inform and enlighten, particularly in unique cases or those in which the certain outcomes are unexpected. Key Features: Outlines the role of the forensic professional in applying and integrating methods assessment in deception and distortion Provides base-rates for deception-related behavior and events, especially useful in report writing or courtroom testimony as an expert witness Presents the latest advances in methodology and technology to assist in the search for ground truth in applied settings and situations Applies forensic distortion analysis to evaluate the deception-related findings and statements of other professionals involved in a particular case New coverage includes sections on deception analysis for collectivities, including media groups, contemporary politics, cross-national corporations, conflict, and terrorism Detecting Malingering and Deception incorporates the latest research, providing practical application to utilize information and evaluative methods as they pertain to deception-related settings and situations. Sample reports and extensive graphs, tables, charts, and histograms are provided, and every chapter has been updated with new studies and investigations. The Third Edition boasts several new chapters and updated working appendices of coverage to expand the exploration of deception addressing advances in the field, and our current understanding of the phenomenon.

The Routledge International Handbook of the Place of Religion in Early Childhood Education and Care

The Routledge International Handbook of the Place of Religion in Early Childhood Education and Care PDF Author: Arniika Kuusisto
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000575322
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 565

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Book Description
Understanding the place of religion in Early Childhood Education and Care is of critical importance for the development of cultural literacy and plays a key role in societal coherence and inclusion. This international handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the place of religion in the societal educational arenas of the very youngest children across the globe. Drawing together contributions from leading international experts across disciplinary backgrounds, it offers a critical view of how to approach the complexities around the place of religion in Early Childhood Education and Care. Through its four parts, the book examines the theoretical, methodological, policy and practice perspectives and explores the complex intersections of transmission of "cultural heritage" and "national values" with the diverse, changing societal contexts. Each chapter contributes to an increased understanding of how the place of religion in Early Childhood Education and Care can be understood across continents, countries and educational systems. The Routledge International Handbook of the Place of Religion in Early Childhood Education and Care is an essential resource for academics, researchers, students and practitioners working in Early Childhood Education, Sociology of Childhood, Religious Education and other related fields

Child Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse PDF Author: Margaret-Ellen Pipe
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1135592225
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 329

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Book Description
This volume provides the first rigorous assessment of the research relating to the disclosure of childhood sexual abuse, along with the practical and policy implications of the findings. Leading researchers and practitioners from diverse and international backgrounds offer critical commentary on these previously unpublished findings gathered from b